In the global superleague of private island resorts

First impression

Food & Drinks

Bed & Bath

The crowd

Our Review

Who else did you see at the hotel when you were there?Globetrotters who care about conservation—without wanting to sacrifice the finer things in life.

Tell us all about your room. How was the decor?Miavana comprises 14 villas, either with one, two, or three bedrooms. Though details differ from villa to villa, each is a minimum of 450 square meters, and includes a private pool, butler service, lounge, stocked kitchenette, and a study, which can be converted into an extra bedroom. Turquoise accents dot the villas, paired with the color of the nearby sea, and hand-cut stone is the same color of the seashells you'll find on the beach.

Any particular amenities of note?There is direct pool access and ocean views from every villa, which means you're never far from that swim—or #sunset Instagram.

Do you think it's worth it?As the first five-star luxury eco-lodge in Madagascar, Miavana looked to set the bar on far-flung African luxury when it opened in spring 2017—and set the bar it has. Meaning "to bring together" in the local Malagasy language, Miavana succeeds on many fronts: by bringing guests and local staff together, by bringing visitors closer to knowledge about the local ecosystem and environment through tours and safaris, and through bringing luxury to a corner of Madagascar without sacrificing the environment.